Usage of 吊 (diào)
The character 吊 primarily means "to suspend" or "to hang." It is commonly used when referring to physically hanging objects such as lanterns, paintings, or medical suspensions like hanging an injured limb for rest.
Common Collocations
- 吊灯 (diàodēng): chandelier or hanging lamp
- 吊绳 (diàoshéng): hanging rope
- 吊着休息 (diàozhe xiūxi): to suspend for rest, often used in medical contexts
Notes
When using 吊, the object being hung is often followed by the preposition 在 (zài) plus the location. It is a more formal or specific term than simply 挂 (guà), which also means "to hang" but is more general. Avoid confusing 吊 with 挂 by noting that 吊 often implies suspension with some tension or support from below or above.
Register
吊 is neutral in tone and can be used in both spoken and written Chinese, especially in descriptive or technical contexts.